Mobile phones a problem in your workplace?

We've all been there - we're right in the middle of a
face-to-face conversation with a close friend or family member
when, without warning, they look down at their mobile phone and
begin mindlessly scrolling. Or even worse, their phone rings and
they actually take the call!

Well it's bad enough when that happens in our personal time, but
it's almost unbearably frustrating when employees take and make
calls, send texts and surf the net while you're paying them.

So, this week, enough is enough! Here are 4 easy ways you can take
control of mobile phone use in your workplace.

Rollout a Clear Policy

Start by setting clear expectations - and consequences - around
mobile phone use via a simple 'Mobile Phones in the Workplace'
policy. Use this document to set out when mobile phones can be used
for personal calls (during breaks etc) and when it is and isn't ok
to send and receive text messages during the workday. Once you've
implemented the policy, make sure you consistently enforce
it.

Consider a 'Silent Office'

Remember when you used to walk into your old school library only
to be greeting by an abrupt 'shhhh!' by the frighteningly strict
librarian? Well, many workplaces now enforce a similar 'rule of
silence' in open work areas. Workers are encouraged to turn off
anything that beeps, chirps, chimes or dings so that all that's
left is the tapping of keyboards and the gentle hum of
productivity.

Lead by Example

If you're in the habit of walking through your office while
shouting on your mobile - or of taking calls when employees are
trying to speak with you - chances are your employees will think
it's fine to do exactly the same thing. Gone are the days when
employees automatically showed deference and respect to someone
just because they're the boss. These days it's all about leading by
example.

Make (Some!) Exceptions

Some employees have a genuine need to keep their phone handy -
they might have a sick relative, a little one who needs to call
when they get safely home from school or a Foxtel engineer on their
way to save them from a summer of cricket on channel 9 (ok - that
one was tongue-in-cheek). In these cases it's only fair to make an
exception, and your employees will appreciate it.

If all else fails, do what we've done at Workforce Guardian and
set up everyone for working-from-home!